# Curved Staircase Renovation Toronto | From $18,000 > Restoration and renovation of curved and radiused staircases: bent stringers, radiused treads, continuous curved handrail. $18,000 to $45,000 by radius and material. URL: https://staircaserenovationtoronto.ca/curved-staircase-renovation/ ![Curved oak staircase with a continuous handrail and iron balusters in a Kingsway front hall](/images/misc/sweeping-curved-oak-staircase-with-radiused-treads.webp) # Curved Staircase Renovation Toronto Last updated: September 28, 2026 Custom-bent stringers, radiused treads and continuous curved handrails, templated and fitted on site. Andriy Kovalenko supervises every curved install personally. Three to six weeks depending on the radius. Published price band $18,000 to $45,000 per staircase, by radius and material Three to six weeks depending on the radius Get Free In-Home Estimate [#quote-form →](#quote-form) Call Andriy [tel:+14160000000 →](tel:+14160000000) Same-day response Monday to Friday. Written quote within 48 hours. - 22 Years Staircase work across the GTA since 2004 - WSIB Clearance Clearance letter available on request - $2M Liability General liability insurance, COI on request - Ontario Registered Ministry of Labour construction registration Fixed two-person WSIB crew on every install. Scope of Work ## What's Included in Curved Staircases Restoration and renovation of curved and radiused staircases. The work needs custom-bent stringers, radiused treads and continuous curved handrail fabrication, fitted on site for exact shape. Specialty scope for older Rosedale, Forest Hill and Yorkville residences. Andriy supervises curved installs personally. Timelines run three to six weeks depending on radius. - On-site templating of the radius - Custom-bent stringers and radiused treads - Continuous curved handrail fabrication - Owner personally supervises every curved install ![Plywood template clamped to a curved stringer during on-site measuring](/images/content/plywood-template-clamped-to-a-curved-stair-stringe.webp) Plywood template clamped to a curved stringer during on-site measuring Have you ever looked at the sweeping stairs in your foyer and wondered how to bring them back to life? We completely understand how overwhelming a curved staircase renovation can feel. The experts at Staircase Renovation Toronto [/ →](/) provide curved stair restoration, radiused tread and stringer rebuilds, and continuous curved handrail fabrication right here in Toronto, ON. This highly specialized work is backed by 22 years of hands-on experience across the GTA. Our process handles all the complex details for you: - Templating the exact radius directly on site. - Forming custom-bent stringers where originals fail. - Cutting each radiused tread to its own specific shape. We then laminate a continuous curved handrail that perfectly follows the pitch around the turn, finishing it with a beautiful volute or gooseneck. These sweeping stairs are common in older Rosedale, Forest Hill, Yorkville, and Kingsway homes. Our project manager, Andriy Kovalenko, personally supervises every curved install to ensure quality. Timelines typically run three to six weeks depending on the exact radius of the curve. Pricing falls between $18,000 and $45,000 per staircase, driven largely by the radius and your choice of material. > Marta and her family on The Kingsway had a beautiful oak staircase that had tired treads and a misaligned handrail. Andriy met with them on day one and explained it would be a six-week job. > > The crew carefully templated every tread, kept the sound stringer on the wall side, laminated a new continuous oak handrail, and set iron balusters at their own angle along the curve. Our team finished this project exactly on schedule at $28,000. Her new rail lines up perfectly with the old curve all the way to the volute. ## What Is a Curved Staircase Renovation? A curved staircase turns elegantly as it rises, either as a gentle arc or a tighter spiral sweep. The inner and outer stringers require specialized bending, every tread is a slightly different wedge shape, and the handrail constantly changes pitch. Our approach to a renovation can mean anything from refinishing and adding new railings to rebuilding the stringers and treads entirely from scratch. These stairs serve as the grand showpiece of many older Toronto homes. You will also find they are the most likely to suffer damage from poor repairs, simply because a standard straight-stair approach fails on a curve for a few reasons: - Treads cut from standard straight stock leave unsightly gaps against the wall. - Handrails built in flat sections develop awkward flat spots and bumps. A true curve needs precise templating and on-site fitting to look right. We find the best results come from using vacuum pressing techniques to laminate a new stringer over a bending form built to your exact radius, rather than trying to force straight stock to bend. ## Types of Curved Staircase Work ### Restoration of original curved stairs Keeping sound old-growth stringers and treads is often the best path forward. We repair the structural damage, strip away the old finish, and replace the railing to match the original style. This method is common in Edwardian and Victorian homes across Rosedale and Forest Hill. Toronto’s dry winter air causes older wood to shrink, so our crew secures every joint tightly before applying new stains. ### Radiused tread and riser replacement New hardwood treads and risers get cut to the precise template of each individual step. We install these over your original stringers, provided they are still completely solid. The current preference for this upgrade is using Canadian white oak. This specific wood features a closed cellular pore structure, making it highly resistant to the moisture swings we see across Ontario. ### Full curved staircase rebuild New custom-bent stringers, radiused treads, and a continuous handrail are required when the original structure has cracked or sagged beyond repair. We build entirely new support ribs out of solid 7/8-inch material inside the box treads to stop future deflection. A tread that moves even 1/8 of an inch will eventually cause loud squeaks. ### Curved handrail and baluster replacement A new laminated handrail follows your exact curve, paired with iron or wood balusters set at individual angles. We strictly use vertical balusters for all our Toronto projects. The Ontario Building Code classifies horizontal bars as a climbing hazard, so our installers space the vertical half-inch iron bars exactly under 4 inches apart to keep your family safe and code-compliant. ## Curved Staircase Cost Guide Pricing your project depends on the specific materials you choose and the complexity of the radius. Our typical price band ranges from $18,000 to $45,000 per staircase. Recent 2026 supply data shows white oak carrying roughly a 12% price premium over red oak across Canada due to high demand. | Cost factor | Toward $18,000 | Toward $45,000 | | --- | --- | --- | | Stringers | Original, kept and repaired | New custom-bent stringers | | Radius | Gentle arc | Tight radius, full sweep | | Species | Red oak | White oak or walnut | | Handrail | Short curved section | Long continuous rail with volute | | Balusters | Kept or plain square bar | Decorative iron, individually angled | For context, the Kingsway curved oak staircase featuring iron balusters was $28,000 over six weeks. We also completed a Rosedale Edwardian refinish and railing replacement for $16,500 over three weeks, primarily because most of the original structure stayed in place. Straight stair refinishing in Toronto usually starts around $100 to $130 per tread, but curved work requires custom forming that pushes the baseline higher. ## When Does a Curved Stair Need Work? Professionals look for specific structural warning signs during every home assessment. We find that a failing staircase will usually show its age through distinct movement and separation. Signs a curved staircase needs attention: - Treads that dip in the middle or feel soft near the outer stringer. - Gaps opening between the treads and the wall-side stringer. - A handrail that moves when you lean on it, or feels bumpy along the curve. - Balusters that are loose, missing, or spaced wider than 4 inches (100mm). - Earlier repairs with straight-cut parts that fail to follow the actual curve. You should test your treads by stepping firmly on the outer edge. If you feel more than 1/8 of an inch of give, the internal support blocks have likely failed and need reinforcement. ## Curved Renovation vs Straight Staircase Work The entire installation process changes completely depending on the shape of your stairs. We can build straight components in a controlled shop environment, but a curve requires our team to bend the wood right in your hallway using a vacuum press. | | Curved staircase renovation | Straight staircase renovation | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | $18,000 to $45,000 | $6,500 to $14,000 | | Fabrication | Templated and fitted on site | Cut in our Etobicoke shop | | Timeline | 3 to 6 weeks | Part of 2 to 4 weeks overall | | Supervision | Andriy personally | Senior crew lead trained by Andriy | If you are planning an entirely new curved stair or a major change in shape, start by looking at our custom staircase design [/custom-staircase-design/ →](/custom-staircase-design/) services. Many clients find it helpful to check the straight staircase renovation [/straight-staircase-renovation/ →](/straight-staircase-renovation/) page for standard flights. We often see clients upgrade their curved railings with new iron balusters [/iron-balusters/ →](/iron-balusters/) or custom wood stair railings [/wood-stair-railings/ →](/wood-stair-railings/) . ## Code and Permits on Curved Stairs Curved stairs must strictly meet Ontario Building Code requirements to keep everyone safe. We ensure every project complies with Section 3.4.6, verifying these specific details: - Tapered treads must have a minimum run of 150 millimetres at the narrow end. - Handrails need to sit between 860 and 1070 millimetres high. - Handrails must allow for continuous graspability without interruption. Standard restoration work usually does not need a permit from the city. You will likely need a permit if the project replaces structural stringers or alters the actual rise, run, or headroom. We always tell you exactly which rules apply during your initial estimate, so contact us today to start your curved staircase renovation. Real Costs ## How Much Does Curved Staircase Renovation Cost in Toronto? Published Band ### Curved Staircase Renovation $18,000 to $45,000 per staircase, by radius and material Scope: Curved Staircases Three to six weeks depending on the radius Book Free Estimate [#quote-form →](#quote-form) ### What the price covers All pricing includes a two-person WSIB crew, materials, installation, jobsite protection and final cleanup. Free written estimate before any work begins. No hourly billing, no hidden fees. A restoration that keeps sound original stringers sits toward the low end. A full rebuild with new bent stringers, a tight radius, solid white oak or walnut and a long continuous handrail sits toward the top. - On-site templating of the radius - Custom-bent stringers where needed - Radiused treads and risers - Continuous curved handrail fabrication - Owner supervision on every install day - Written workmanship warranty Compare every service band on our staircase renovation prices [/pricing/ →](/pricing/) page. Why Homeowners Pick Us ## Why Choose Staircase Renovation Toronto for Curved Staircases? - ### Owner on every curved job Andriy Kovalenko personally supervises curved and specialty installs. They aren't handed off. - ### Templated on site Curves are measured with full-size templates in your house, then fitted on site for exact shape. - ### Keep what can be saved Sound original stringers and treads in older homes are kept and refinished where possible. - ### Honest timelines Three to six weeks, stated on day one. Curved work isn't rushed to fit a sales promise. - ### Railings built to code Handrail height, graspability and baluster spacing follow Ontario Building Code Section 3.4.6. - ### Millwork background Andriy trained in cabinetry and custom millwork before stairs, which is exactly the skill set curved rails need. Clean Site Execution ## How Our Curved Staircases Process Works You deal with the person who measures and builds your staircase, from the first visit to the warranty. 1. 1 ### Free In-Home Estimate On-site measurement, structural inspection and scope discussion. Andriy or a senior lead attends every estimate. Written quote within 48 hours. 2. 2 ### Design and Material Selection Wood species, stain samples against your floor, baluster and railing style. Full material list and shop drawings for approval before anything is ordered. 3. 3 ### Fabrication and Prep Straight staircases are cut in our Etobicoke shop; curved work is fitted on site. Several Toronto contractors ship prefabricated stairs from out-of-province suppliers, which limits custom fit. We build to the exact measurements of your opening. 4. 4 ### Installation by Owner-Supervised Crew Andriy Kovalenko supervises every install from tread removal through final trim. A two-person WSIB crew works behind dust barriers with floor protection throughout the home. 5. 5 ### Final Walkthrough and Warranty We walk every tread, riser, baluster and handrail with you against the written scope, then issue your written workmanship warranty. Typical timeline: Three to six weeks depending on the radius ![Finished oak staircase with black iron balusters in a Toronto home](/images/misc/finished-oak-staircase-with-matte-black-iron-balus.webp) Questions About Curved Staircases? ## Get a Written Curved Staircase Renovation Quote Within 48 Hours Andriy or a senior lead measures your stairs and gives you the options with prices. No hourly billing, no hidden fees. Get Free In-Home Estimate [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call Andriy (416) 000-0000 [tel:+14160000000 →](tel:+14160000000) - Written quote within 48 hours - Owner attends every estimate - Written workmanship warranty - No hourly billing, no hidden fees Our Work ## Recent Curved Staircases Work Click any photo to see it larger. Before: worn Edwardian curve After: radiused treads and new rail Volute over the starting step Handrail laminated and fitted on site Homeowner Feedback ## What GTA Homeowners Say > "Our curved oak staircase on The Kingsway took six weeks, and Andriy told us that on day one. The iron balusters and the new handrail line up perfectly with the old curve." Marta K.The Kingsway, Etobicoke > "We wanted to keep the character of our Edwardian stairs. They refinished what could be saved, replaced the railing, and finished in three weeks as quoted." David and Helen R.Rosedale, Toronto > "Condo management needed the insurance certificate before anyone came in. They sent it the same day, and the glass railing looks like it came with the loft." Jonathan L.Yorkville, Toronto ### Homeowner video walkthroughs are coming We're filming short walkthroughs with past clients in Etobicoke, Rosedale and Scarborough. Until they're posted, ask us for the addresses of recent jobs near you and we'll arrange a look. Homeowner Questions ## Curved Staircase Renovation FAQs Can you keep our original curved stringers? Often, yes. In older Rosedale, Forest Hill and Yorkville homes, the original curved stringers are frequently solid old-growth wood that's worth keeping. We check them at the estimate for cracks, rot, separation from the wall and movement under load. If they're sound, we keep them and work on the treads, risers and railing. If a stringer has cracked along the curve or the stair has sagged, we template it and build a new bent stringer to the same shape. Sometimes one stringer is kept and the other is replaced. Keeping original structure where it's safe usually brings the price toward the lower end of the band. How long does a curved staircase renovation take? Three to six weeks from the start of work, depending on the radius and scope. A tight radius with new bent stringers and a long continuous handrail takes the longest, because each part is templated, formed and fitted on site. A restoration that keeps the stringers and focuses on treads and railings is at the shorter end. We give you the timeline in writing on day one and keep it. Our Kingsway curved oak project was a six-week scope, and that's what it took. You keep access to the upper floor on most days; we plan any day without stair access well in advance. How much does a curved staircase renovation cost? $18,000 to $45,000 per staircase, depending on the radius, the materials and how much of the original structure can stay. Our Kingsway curved oak staircase with iron balusters, a six-week scope, came in at $28,000. A Rosedale Edwardian refinish with railing replacement was $16,500, below the curved band because it was mostly refinishing. The biggest cost drivers are new bent stringers, a tight radius, solid hardwood species like white oak or walnut and the length of the continuous handrail. You get a detailed written quote after the in-home estimate. What makes curved stairs harder than straight stairs? Every tread on a curve is a different shape, the stringers are bent rather than straight, and the handrail has to follow a changing pitch around the curve without flat spots. None of it can be cut from standard stock. We template each part on site, form or laminate it, and fit it in place, which is why curved work isn't cut in the shop like straight stairs. Can a curved staircase be refinished instead of rebuilt? Yes, if the structure is sound. Many older curved stairs just need the treads sanded or recapped, the risers repainted and the railing repaired or replaced. That's often much less than a full rebuild. We'll tell you honestly which one your stair needs. Do you replace curved handrails? Yes. Curved handrails are built as a continuous rail that follows the curve, usually laminated from thin strips of hardwood and shaped on site. We finish them with a volute or gooseneck to match the style of the house. Can you add iron balusters to a curved stair? Yes. Each baluster is set at its own angle and height along the curve, then epoxy-anchored like on straight stairs. The Kingsway project combined iron balusters with a new curved handrail. Which wood species work for curved stairs? Red oak, white oak, maple and walnut are all used. Oak bends and laminates well and matches most Toronto floors. Walnut costs more but suits darker traditional interiors. Do curved staircases need a permit? Cosmetic restoration doesn't. Replacing structural stringers or changing the rise, run or headroom can trigger a City of Toronto building permit. We tell you at the estimate and handle drawings if needed. Is a flared bottom step the same as a curved stair? No. A flared or bullnose starting step is common in Richmond Hill and Vaughan foyers on otherwise straight stairs. We template and recap flared steps as part of a normal renovation. Can you convert a straight stair to a curved one? Sometimes, if the stairwell opening allows it. It's a structural change that goes through custom staircase design, usually with drawings and a permit. Who does the work on a curved staircase? Andriy Kovalenko supervises every curved install personally, with our two-person WSIB crew doing the work alongside him. Often Paired With ## Related Services ![Open-riser white oak staircase on a steel mono-stringer with a glass guard](/images/misc/open-riser-white-oak-staircase-on-a-steel-mono-str.webp) ### Custom Staircase Design From $1,500 Full design service with 3D rendering, material spec and shop drawings, credited against the build. View staircase design details [Custom Staircase Design →](/custom-staircase-design/) ![Matte black iron balusters under an oak handrail in an open foyer staircase](/images/misc/matte-black-iron-balusters-with-single-twist-and-b.webp) ### Iron Balusters Installation From $1,500 Swap dated wood spindles for wrought or powder-coated iron balusters, anchored with a two-part epoxy system. View iron balusters details [Iron Balusters Installation →](/iron-balusters/) ![New red oak handrail and box newel post on a refinished Rosedale staircase](/images/misc/new-red-oak-stair-handrail-with-box-newel-post-and.webp) ### Wood Stair Railings From $1,200 Solid wood handrails, newel posts and wall-mount rails that meet Ontario Building Code Section 3.4.6. View wood railings details [Wood Stair Railings →](/wood-stair-railings/) Free In-Home Estimate ## Ready to Price Your Curved Staircases Project? Book a free in-home estimate. Andriy or a senior lead measures your stairs, checks the structure and sends a written curved staircase renovation quote within 48 hours. - Written quote within 48 hours - Owner attends every estimate - Written workmanship warranty - No hourly billing, no hidden fees ![Two-person crew fitting a new oak tread behind a dust barrier](/images/misc/two-person-crew-fitting-a-new-oak-tread-on-a-toron.webp) Prefer to talk it through? Call (416) 000-0000 [tel:+14160000000 →](tel:+14160000000) . Mon to Fri 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Sunday. Free Written Quote ## Request Your In-Home Estimate Andriy reviews every request himself and we reply the same day, Monday to Friday. ### Thanks, we got your details. Andriy will be in touch the same day, Monday to Friday.